Chapter 221 Blood On The Hands (III)
Klaus sat with a serious expression in the midst of the dark forest. He had been sitting there for thirty minutes since he received a call from Jacob. His subordinates, Olivia, Gavin, and Michael, sat in a row around him, waiting for his decision.
"Plan cancelled," Klaus said with a serious tone. "Something has changed. Our friends, they've been kidnapped by Jacob and his gang."
This news puzzled his three subordinates. Olivia furrowed her brow, trying to understand why someone like Jacob Blake would do this. This man was their raid leader; there was no reason for him to do such a thing.
"Why would Jacob do this? He's one of us," Olivia asked with confusion.
Gavin hung his head with a remorseful expression, as if he knew what had happened but couldn't reveal it. He felt guilty about the events.
Klaus took a deep breath before answering, "Jacob wanted to eliminate Rays of Hope from the beginning. He wanted to kill us all inside the dungeon, without any evidence."
Of course, this shocked Olivia and Michael. They found it hard to believe. A guild master who was part of the Divine Ursine Alliance wanted to destroy a small, recently emerging guild. It was difficult for them to grasp. To their knowledge, they had never crossed paths with this big guild. Their bases were even thousands of miles apart.
"But why?" Michael mumbled. "It's not like we had any problems with them. What did we do to make him want to kill us?"
Klaus hissed, "It's a long story."
Michael furrowed his brow.
Klaus went on to explain the Superhuman Project and why they had flown to Germany. He also mentioned the collaboration between Mors Industries and the Divine Ursine Alliance, involving the creation of Serum K.
"We need Elder Blood for it," Klaus said. "It's the last ingredient they need to perfect their serum, and conveniently, the dungeon is inhabited by elves. For this reason, Jacob invites us to raid a dungeon in Germany, so he can kill us away from the American media."
"Still," Michael said. "I don't get why he'd want to get rid of us?"
"Because we're a threat to the Five Pillars. Our growth has been too significant, especially with Vincent's unexpected death. It has put them on edge."
"But we never even touched them."
"They don't need a reason, Michael," Klaus said seriously. "It's like weeding a garden. You remove them because they steal the nutrients needed."
Hearing this explanation, Michael lowered his head. The questions were written all over his face. Olivia also wore a similar expression. They both took his story very seriously. Little did they know, he was deceiving them.
Klaus didn't want to reveal the truth that he was the one who started it all. He wanted to get rid of Edward and Jacob inside this dungeon. Only Gavin knew this fact. He remained silent.
"We don't have much time. We need to rescue our friends as soon as possible."
"Yeah," Michael replied, nodding.
Klaus and his subordinates quickly left the elf village with anxious hearts. They pushed deeper into the increasingly dark and dense forest, with one heart-pounding goal: to save their friends. Klaus led the way, his mind focused only on the safety of his little sister.
"Joanna, hang on, I'll save you," he muttered.
Michael was the slowest in the group. He tried his hardest to keep up with his friends' pace as Klaus was running really fast. Even Olivia and Gavin, who were very confident in their speed, were out of breath because of him.
However, their journey did not go smoothly.
As they moved deeper into the forest, suddenly a giant bear leaped down from a tree, blocking their path. Olivia was thrown back by the impact of the giant beast. Fortunately, Michael caught her.
"What the hell," Gavin muttered, gritting his teeth.
The bear stood tall, showing its sharp fangs and preparing to attack.
But the surprise situation didn't end there. A group of elves emerged from behind the forest trees, their faces covered by hoods. They aimed their arrows at Klaus and his subordinates, ready to act if they continued to move.
Raising her head, Olivia was surprised to see them. After the surprise attack she experienced this morning, she knew well about the defensive capabilities of the elves and how dangerous they could be.
"Damn! Why now?" she cursed.
"Stay focused, Olivia. Be ready for the worst," Michael said.
Only Klaus seemed calm in this situation, although he was irritated. These elves were wasting his precious time.
As they were ready to fight, they heard a woman's voice. They looked up and were surprised to see an elegant elf woman perched on the back of the giant bear. She had sharp eyes and emitted a strong aura of leadership.
The elf woman raised her hand gently, signaling her group members to lower their arrows. Then, she said, "Intruders, before you die, tell us the reason for your intrusion into our territory."
Klaus snorted. "Believe me, I'd like to explain everything to you. But I don't have much time now. Leave before I wipe out your entire race."
His words angered some of the elves, and even Olivia, Michael, and Gavin were surprised to hear them. However, the elf woman remained unprovoked, her face as calm as the surface of a lake.
"Are you not aware of your situation?" the elf woman asked sarcastically.
"Cut the bullshit. If you want to eliminate us, do it like when you ambushed us this morning. I know something has changed your mind."
The elf woman squinted her eyes, wondering how Klaus could know, as if he could read her mind. Meanwhile, his subordinates looked tense. Olivia tightly gripped the hilt of her katana.
"You human are quite intriguing. I am Arwen. What is your name?" the elf woman asked.
"Klaus Lee. Remember that! It's a name that will define your race's fate," Klaus replied.
"You bastard!" one of the elves shouted.
Naturally, Arwen yelled for them not to attack, but the provoked elf had already released a shot. As the arrow flew through the air, a strange phenomenon left them all dumbfounded. The arrowhead turned to rust, and the shaft turned to dust. In a matter of seconds, the arrow decayed into dust upon hitting Klaus' cheek.
It happened so quickly. The elves dropped their jaws. Even Klaus' three subordinates did. They couldn't believe what they had just witnessed.
"Now you know the difference in our power," Klaus said with a sharp tone.
Arwen gritted her teeth. With just a glance, she knew what kind of his power. It was [Anti-Life], a power that consumed all forms of life. Not only living things, but even all matter in the world could turn to dust when touched by this power.
It was a magic energy feared by the elf race.
Seeing their enemies intimidated, Klaus stepped forward. He signaled to his subordinates to follow him. In fact, he could sweep them all away in an instant.
Olivia and Michael looked at each other. They weren't sure what was happening or how Klaus could make them so afraid, but they followed his orders to survive this situation.
Klaus passed the giant bear, followed by Gavin and Michael. They both held their breath as this creature's nose brushed against their necks. However, when it was Olivia's turn to pass, an arrow blocked her path.
Naturally, Klaus turned to Arwen with a piercing gaze.
"Sorry, but there must be one who stays. We need to have some bail for our people's safety," Arwen said.
Hearing those words, Klaus grinned. Sacrificing one of his subordinates wasn't a problem for him, even though Olivia was the daughter of his mother's friend. He could come up with the right excuse if Olivia didn't survive. Inside the dungeon, anything could happen. As long as they didn't talk, no one would know.
As Klaus was about to speak, his eyes accidentally met Olivia's. She nodded, as if she was ready to be left alone. There was no doubt in her eyes at all.
Somehow, it made Klaus clench his fists.
He let out a long sigh.
"Fine, you can have her," Klaus said.
Naturally, Michael reacted to this response, but Gavin restrained him before Michael could voice his protest.
"Not only her, but those two as well," Klaus continued. Now, both Gavin and Michael were taken aback.
Arwen furrowed her brow. "I asked for one, but you're giving me three. I don't understand. Are you indifferent to the lives of your friends, or are you just a selfish and disgusting human being?"
"It's neither," Klaus replied. "It's because I'll also hold your life as collateral."
Opening her eyes wide, Arwen immediately knew what he meant.
"Arrrrgh!"
Suddenly, Arwen screamed. The elves began to look confused as they saw their leader in pain. Holding her head, Arwen felt an excruciating pain in her head, and a strange symbol was etched on her temple.
Klaus grinned as he looked at her, while his subordinates squinted.
"What have you done to me!?" Arwen groaned, clutching her temple.
Klaus pointed to the symbol on her temple. "That's a [Death Curse]. You'll die if you violate the conditions of the curse I planted on your head. When I see you again, and I don't see my three subordinates in intact or alive condition, then your head will explode."
"What?!" Arwen stared.
"One more thing. The [Death Curse] I embedded in your head can spread. It will infect other living creatures if left unchecked. Including your long-eared friends."
The elves gritted their teeth as they heard the grim news. Meanwhile, Olivia smiled with relief. So did Michael and Gavin.
"Well then, see you later," Klaus said.
He winked before leaving.
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